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Environment and Social Safeguard Specialist

Kabul

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Kabul
  • Grade: Mid level - IICA-2, International Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Social Affairs
    • Environment
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information - Afghanistan

Afghanistan

UNOPS strategy for Afghanistan is aimed at providing maximum support to the Government and people of Afghanistan though the delivery of projects and services in line with the government’s own priorities. The UNOPS Afghanistan Operation Center (AFOC) has been established as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFOC is implementing a number of projects in a range of sectors including infrastructure (roads and schools) development, capacity building to various ministries, and environmental protection, among others, on behalf of the Government of Afghanistan and the donor community.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFOC is to deliver projects in an efficient and effective manner, to achieve the development outcomes sought by the Government of Afghanistan and the donor community, where capacity building is always considered and encouraged. The aim of UNOPS AFOC is to provide implementation services to the Government of Afghanistan, the donor community and partner agencies in the reconstruction and development of the country. In doing so, UNOPS aims to exceed client expectations in the delivery of quality services throughout the country.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Afghanistan is responsible for implementing a number of projects on behalf of the Government of Afghanistan and the aid donor community.

The Afghanistan Operational Centre (AFOC) has been set up as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the Implementing Agency/Consultant. The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) of the Government of Afghanistan aims to construct the Trans-Hindukush Road Connectivity Project (THRCP) which has strategic importance for the movement of goods and freight between the Northern provinces and Capital of the Country. This road has a significant role not only for the current traffic movement but also as part of a reginal resource corridor which is already targeted as a priority to construct. The Government of Afghanistan intends to improve and upgrade the Bamyan to Baghlan (B2B) Road, rehabilitate the Salang Pass Highway and Tunnel and implement a sustainable future maintenance regime for these critical routes. The objectives are to improve the Trans-Hindukush road connectivity, to provide all year-round access and enhance local as well as international trade and regional integration. Furthermore, the improved roads will increase security by reducing the time to respond to local, regional, or national incidents, facilitate access to social services and provide new regional trade opportunities including agriculture and mining.

The THRCP project is being delivered under the MPW by a government led Project Management Team (PMT) and a new Construction Supervision Unit (CSU) has been set up to undertake site supervision of all associated contracts. In parallel, the client has also appointed an international Implementation Consultant (IC) team through UNOPS to support development, delivery and oversight of the project.

THRCP IC is seeking a qualified International Social and Environmental Safeguard Specialist to support delivery of THRCP.

Functional Responsibilities

The Environment and Social Safeguard Specialist report to the IC Team Leader. Working under the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) the Environment and Social Safeguard Specialist is responsible to assist in the management of the socio-environmental studies and reports along the 164 km road connecting Northern Provinces to Center and South, the update of the existing Social Impact Assessment (SIA), Environmental Impact Assessment (ESMP) and the development of Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and estimation of the Project-Affected Person (PAPs) along the proposed project.

The Environment and Social Safeguard will be expected to perform the following duties and responsibilities, but not limited to:

  • Under the overall supervision of the IC Team Leader, the Environment and Social Safeguard Specialist will support the review of the existing documents of Social Impact Assessment (SIA), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) which were developed between 2010 and 2013, and make recommendation for improvement. The specialist will assist in the development and update the Social Impact Assessment (SIA), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) which should be compiled with the World Bank Safeguard Policy and requirements;
  • The Environment and Social Safeguard Specialist will assist the development of a comprehensive Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for the Project-Affected Person (PAPs) within the entire road alignment.
  • Specific responsibilities and duties will cover three main areas of activity:
    • Area (1): Support and advice in the review and study of existing documents to ensure the implementation of Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) procedures including the establishment of an appropriate field structure to ensure the appropriate level of support to technical personnel;
    • Area (2): Support in the coordination of training activities to ensure the principles and procedures for Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) are well understood and being followed; and
    • Area (3): Advice in the best practice of monitoring and reporting on the social and environmental impact of the proposed project.

Detailed responsibilities under each area are listed below:

Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF)

  • Support the Social and Environment staff on site to achieve the maximum efficiency in their assigned tasks.
  • Support dissemination of information to community/Project-Affected Person (PAPs) as proposed in the Social Inclusion Framework (SIF).
  • Support the coordination with regional/provincial agencies (line ministries, governor’s offices, Provincial Councilors; PDC’s, DDAs, NGOs and NEPA) for ensuring implementation of ESMF provisions especially social development issues during SIF implementation.
  • Support the MoPW to ensure that the contractor and E & S Safeguard staff educate the workers and other relevant stakeholders to undertake the health and safety precautions.
  • Support the MoPW to ensure that safety and health concerns of the workers and the general public are addressed during construction.
  • Advise in the assessment of vulnerability and entitlement issues and oversee the coordination of R&R implementation as required.
  • Support to ensure the timely and accurate consolidation of ESMF related information of each project at the PMU level.
  • Advise in the implementation of Environmental Management Measures (EMM)/Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) and SIF as per schedules.
  • Support in the review all Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) related documents and technical proposals to ensure full compliance with Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) requirements prior to submission for bid documentation preparation.
  • Advise the regional/provincial offices on the elaboration of screening checklist and environmental and social management plans (ESMP) as required.

Training and Awareness Raising

  • Support in the efficient coordination with Ministry of Public Work (MoPW) Provincial and Project Management Team (PMT) staff regarding Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and social targeting considerations to be taken into account in the sub-project preparatory activities;
  • Advise in the coordination of the delivery of training on Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) related issues including environmental health & public safety and requirements for programme staff and other relevant stakeholders in the field.
  • Support in the identification of training needs of Project Management Team (PMT)/ Ministry of Public Work (MoPW) Engineers regarding social targeting principles and ensure that the required training is provided.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

  • Support the monitoring and report against the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) provisions, highlighting environmental and social issues not addressed, and provide recommendations for corrective measures for subsequent projects;
  • Support the monitoring and compliance with Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) requirements by undertaking periodic audits of all sub-project files.
  • Support in the monitoring of socio-economic impacts of the road project on local residents and lead discussions between communities.
  • Support to monitor health and safety impacts of workers and the public in general during construction.
  • Support the MoPW-PMT in the preparation of socio-economic impact assessments of Bamiyan to Baghlan projects as required;
  • Monitor the progress in the implementation of environmental and social management plans;
  • Monitor environmental health and safety awareness among workers and the public.
  • Advise in the coordination of the implementation of social audits for all completed Bamiyan to Baghlan /MoPW contracts;

Education/Experience/Language requirements

  • Master’s degree in environmental sciences, environmental engineering or similar.
  • A bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, environmental engineering or similar with an additional two years of relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced university degree requirement.
  • A minimum of 5 years’ developing and implementing environmental and social safeguard strategies for large construction or engineering organisations or for major infrastructure projects.
  • Experience mentoring and providing capacity building in developing and implementing environmental and social safeguard policies, strategies and guidelines.
  • Excellent English skills, both written and spoken.
  • Previous experience working in post conflict countries will be an advantage.

Competencies

  Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.
  Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
  Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
  Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
  Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
  Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
  Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
  Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International ICA
Contract level:IICA-2
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA - Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance 


For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

Additional Considerations

  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

 
This vacancy is now closed.
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